Tag Archives: 20 years of Friends

It’s the 20th Anniversary of Friends today! Twenty years since Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey entered our lives. We LOVED this show – and still do. So, we are paying tribute to the show in a fashion sense, by having a look at 90s fashion.

What on earth was going on in the early 90s? Hey, I was there. Cargo pants. Long skirts with splits, layered hair (yep, that’s ‘the Rachel’, everyone!). Tight, weird turtlenecks in stretchy fabrics. Crop tops. Chunky shoes. ‘Mom’ jeans. And I am just describing my own wardrobe here!

So, are there aspects of Friends fashion – and more to the point 90s fashion – that we still love today. This year there seems to have been a bit of a 1990s love-in in the fashion world with countless bits and bobs from the decade popping up – backpacks, ripped jeans, high waists.

Here’s a few 90s fashion items and how to wear them now. (And also, how, maybe, not wearing some of them still works best!)

BUTTERFLY CLIPS AND SCRUNCHIES

Yep, you read that right. Remember butterfly clips? I have a drawer full of them. Sadly, thankfully, they aren’t around anymore, so condole yourself with some pretty actual butterfly clips from Claire’s (£4). Scrunchies are practical – and really, really not that cool. But sometimes that means they are UBER cool? Confused? Well, it is fashion. Pick some up at Claire’s (£3 for two).

DUNGAREES

Dungarees have been around since spring this year, and are here to stay. Go retro with ripped, loose baggy, 90s style dungarees (£29.00) or mix it up with a dark blue skinny version (£26.99). Both from New Look. We like dungarees, but watch your shape here – they aren’t overly flattering for everyone.

SKORTS

When I was a twentysomething in the 90s, I wanted short, short skirts. To preserve my dignity and that of my fellow mini skirt lovers, the skort was invented. Essentially shorts with a skirt bit at the front, it’s comfy and smart. Yay, we like this one! Channel your inner Cher from Clueless (more on her later) with this season’s on-trend plaid pattern, like these from New Look (£17.99, each)

JELLY SHOES

I’m seeing these everywhere on the bloggersphere (and I bought a pair!). I’m not sure if this really started in the 1980s, but they’re still here, and are big again. And really comfy. But maybe not overly practical when winter really kicks in. These purple ones from Juju @ Schuh (£9.99) have a chunky heel – now that’s a 90s addition!

HIP HOP STYLE

Ah, right, yes, so probably called street style, or urban style now, but back in the 1990s I was channeling my inner Neneh Cherry with hi-tops, dollar and Africa pendants, tight tube dresses, caps and crazy prints. Look at this H&M image? This is fly. Or something. Quilted lion print jacket and matching skirt?! (£29.99 & £19.99). It deserves applause. I love it. Many may not.

BANDANAS

Hugely versatile, say Claire’s – wear on the head, neck or arm. I had to look at this through my fingers. I wore these on my head in the most utterly uncool way ever in the 90s. Don’t make the same mistake. If you want to wear it, follow Claire’s advice, not mine. Bandana, £4.50

CLUELESS

If you need educated on 1990s style, watch 1995’s Clueless. Amazingly a reworking of Jane Austen’s 1816 book, Emma, Cher and her friends’ escapades were at times secondary to the amazing clothes. Want to go a little bit Cher? Go matchy matchy – jacket and skirt, check. Well, okay, maybe not always…floral’s good too! This gorgeous combo is from JOY. (£69 & £39)

MOM JEANS/BOOTCUT

Back this year, and now called ‘mom jeans’ these sortof high-waisted baggier jeans, tapered at the bottom are a classic 1990s style. Ours were Levi 501’s a lot of the time. They are actually quite flattering. Try them. Hugely flattering (make your legs look long) and THE only cut to wear for years, it seems, were bootcut. And they are back. You can still get them. I just can’t do it. It seems so wrong. What about you? Mom jeans, £29.99, H&M, bootcut jeans, £20, BHS

Please note that we always endeavour to feature items that are available in Ocean Terminal, however sometimes items featured may be out of stock, and prices may vary due to seasonal reduction